Review: Sisters Memon's self titled debut album

This review is long overdue, since the album came out last month; but honestly, I have been extremely busy with my full time job, and for this reason I haven't had much time to dedicate to Lachryma Christi. I always come back, eventually. Just some times take longer than others.

This album was sent to me by M. Daniels, the person who writes all the music in Sisters Memon. I was also sent their second album, scheduled to be released in early 2022 (hopefully I will be able to review it soon, but can't guarantee yet). 

It is actually a shame that it took me so long to listen to this masterpiece. 

So Sisters Memon are a very recently formed band from Poland. Well, in fact, M. Daniels is from London and lives in London. 

They play a very neat old school Black Metal. Very raw, angry and obscure. I confess I love it.

Natalia, the singer for Sisters Memon, is just perfect. The first time I heard her voice, I was incredibly positively surprised and loved it immediately.

Only two members, but an absolute majestic album. It is really great.

The self titled and debut album of Sisters Memon has 11 tracks, all of them very into the same style. Don't expect a ballad in the middle, or a catchy refrain, because that won't be there. It wouldn't even make sense. However, after you listen to the album once, you want to listen to it again. It becomes familiar instantly, and you just want to feel again the comfort it brings. It is like going back home, after a long journey.

So if you are wanting to listen to some old school and at the same time original sound (i know), if you really are after strong and powerful and heavy Black Metal, don't hesitate listening to Sisters Memon. This album came out by the end of September already, so it's out there. In case you are wondering, it was released on Plague Demon / Blasphemous Creations of Hell Records.

I am sure you won't regret. Same way I didn't regret taking so long but still doing it, because it is so good.

It is really very difficult to compose a top ten albums for 2021. This has been quite a good year in terms of quality, for Black Metal music.

Old video, but good music: Barzakh's song "Shadow in the Grief"

Black Metal band from Indonesia Barzakh contacted me on Instagram recently (in case you don't know, Lachryma Christi's has now an Instagram account, which is @lachryma_christi_black_metal), and sent two songs for promotion.

I confess I didn't know this band, but I am very thankful that they contacted me, as their music is really good.

They have been around since 1998 (and it shows); and they have quite a few releases, from a demo, to participations in compilations, and to three albums. The last album, Shadow in the Grief, was released in 2019, and what I'm sharing here today, is precisely the track with the same title, which you can listen here:

This song had been featured on the album In a Meaning the Note.

Read more in: 

https://www.facebook.com/BARZAKH-Black-Metal-Jakarta-129349202409

Review: LYKHAEON's new album "Opprobrium"

Black Metal band from Switzerland LYKHAEON, just released (on the 21st) their second full-length, called Opprobrium.
This album was sent to me for review a couple of months ago, but only now I managed to go through it. I only regret I didn't do it earlier, as it is quite good.

As you know, LYKHAEON play a sound we can cathegorize as Death/Black Metal, and their music is mostly about Greek Mythology.

It is very interesting, as they are not Greek, but bring up similarities to Greek bands as Septicflesh.

Opprobrium has seven tracks, all of them very heavy and some of them very dragged, almost doomy. In fact, with huge doomy influence.

2021 has been a good year with original and unique sounds in the black metal industry, as I stated in the previous review shared also today. And LYKHAEON's Opprobrium is no exception. They can have influences and resemblances, but they are also very original in what they do. Their music brings us a great ammount of introspection, anger and fury, my favourite song being Descent Into Ruinous Splendor. The clean voices mixed with the gutural ones at the end of this track are just something. Almost magical.

LYKHAEON are a Duo, but what a sound they make. They had a session drummer on the recording of Opprobrium. 

It is fantastic. If you haven't heard it yet, go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Review: Gospelheim's upcoming single "Into Smithereens"

Greetings, fellow readers!
Things have been a bit slow around here, as you might have noticed, but I have a ton of work on my actual job, so haven't had as much time, but eventually, I will!

However, I am not here to write about me (just thought you should know what's going on), but about Gospelheim and their new single, Into Smithereens, which is scheduled to be released on the 30th of July.

Gospelheim are a new band from Manchester, which include members from Impavidus, Frozen In Shadows, Agvirre, and others. Lachryma Christi has worked with Agvirre in the past.

Before we continue, let me tell you this single Into Smithereens is the first single to be released from their upcoming debut album, coming out in the new year.

So, what can you expect from this single? It is a mix of gothic rock, classic heavy metal and black metal.

I liked it very much. It is a breeze of fresh air. Different, heavy, catchy, melodic, and with beautifully sung clean and clear voices, male and female.

The song is quite original, and at the same time brings you that comfortable feeling that only a good song or album can do.

I heard it once, then I had to hear it again, and again, not sure how many times I heard the song in a loop. Hopefully, it will work just like that for you too.

2021 has been a very good year, in what comes to the black metal (and related) style. Gospelheim have black metal influences more instrumentally. It is a very good song, that will stay in your head for a long time, and although the band is newly formed, you can tell musicians are very talented and know what they are doing and where they want to go. Their sound is unique, very sober and consistent.

It is very pleasing to listen to. I felt quite pleased, and I am sure many of you will too.

To mention some influences I found here: My Dying Bride, Therapy (from early 2000s) - strange, but yes!, and I would risk to mention a bit of Moonspell. Intrigued? You can listen to Into Smithereens on the 30th. I will be sharing a link for sure.

You may also expect a review of the full album, when the time comes.

(and look at that logo!)

Maudiir releases both EPs on limited edition double digipak, with bonus track

One man Black Metal band Maudiir, created by F. had released two EPs, since the beginning of the project: Le Temps Peste and La Part du Diable.

Now, he is releasing both EPs on a limited edition double digipak, featuring a bonus track cover of The Exploited's Sid Vicious Was Innocent.

F. aka Maudiir comments:

“I felt that combining the 2 EPs on one digipak would work well to offer an interesting listening experience, showing the progression of the music and sound between Le Temps Peste and La Part du Diable. Maudiir is very much a DIY family affair, so again my brother handled the visuals and did a beautiful job. It’s a really nice package to get into the world of Maudiir. Plus there is also a special version of The Exploited song “Sid Vicious Was Innocent” that’s going to surprise people.”

You may order the digipack here:

https://maudiir.bandcamp.com

And you may stream the track The Fortunate Few here:

Also, you can listen to the cover of The Exploited's Sid Vicious Was Innocent, here:

Tracklist Le Temps Peste (2020)

1. Product (5:14)

2. Abuse The Used (4:30)

3. Wasteland (5:15)

4. Surge of Fire (4:39)

5. Snakes of Creation (6:43)

Tracklist La Part Du Diable (2021)

1. Fracture (4:50)

2. The Slumber (4:57)

3. The Fortunate Few (4:54)

4. Spirit of Sulfur (4:34)

5. The Crowning Hour (5:07)

Bonus Track: Sid Vicious Was Innocent (The Exploited cover) (3:10)

Read more in:

https://www.facebook.com/Maudiir-100174698189554/

https://www.instagram.com/maudiirofficial/

Dark Vision revealed the cover artwork and the track list of their upcoming album called "lanos"

Hellenic Black Metal band Dark Vision revealed the cover artwork and the track list of their upcoming album called lanos. The album is set to be released on the 25th of June, through Cult of Parthenope.

Tracklist:

1. Ignis
2. Absurdity in Abyss
3. Cosmic Storm
4. Asylum
5. Defile The Pure
6. Of Unknown Artist
7. Sulfur Vision
8. Deathwish (Christian Death cover)
9. Gruesome Tide
10. Keep

lanosI was mixed and mastered by Andy Classen at Stage One Studios in Germany.

Cover art by Remedy Art Design.

Dark Vision are:

Mark - Vocals & Guitars

Nassos - Guitars & Backing Vocals

Frag - Bass

Giannis K. - Drums & Backing Vocals

Read more in:

https://www.facebook.com/Dark-Vision-Official-171773309559011/

Laang 冷 release a new video for the song Dongshang 冻伤

Terror Black Metal band from Taiwan released a video for their song Dongshang 冻伤, from their upcoming album Xinteng 心疼, which will be released on the 21st of July, through Talheim Records.

You can now stream the video here: 

Read more in:

https://www.facebook.com/LaangOfficial